Acidity ;heartburn ;Gerd

Homeopathic treatment of Acidity

If it is very common(more than twice a week) for you to suffer from the symptoms of hyperacidity.(heartburn or feeling of pain and/or burning in the chest or throat) it is possible that it cold be more than just the so called acidity. You could be suffering from GERD (Gastro esophageal reflux disease).

What is GERD?

Under normal circumstances the stomach tries to digest the food by breaking it down into simple substances by using hydrochloric acid and other enzymes, this food is passed on to the intestines for further digestion but in patients with GERD the acidic contents of the stomach regularly reflux back into the esophagus( the food pipe), causing inflammation and damage. GERD can be a chronic and if left untreated, it can lead to a more serious condition known as erosive esophagitis. Complications of erosive esophagitis may include narrowing or ulceration of the esophagus

How to recognize GERD

When the contents from the stomach touch the lining of the esophagus, they cause a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. At times the gastric fluid may even reach the mouth. In some cases there may be a difficulty in swallowing ,hoarseness of voice, cough and asthma as their presenting Symptoms ..

What causes gerd?

As the chewed food reaches, the lower end of the esophagus which comprises of a circular band of muscle around the bottom part of your esophagus ? it relaxes and allows the food and liquid to flow down into the stomach. Gastro esophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when this end of oesophagus does not close properly and stomach contents leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus. The condition may be due to an abnormal mechanical working of the oesophagus (where it enters the stomach) as under normal circumstances it squeezes itself together to act as a shut-off valve to keep stomach contents out. Sometimes, GERD is due to too much acid being produced by the stomach. It can occur in some people when the stomach does not empty quickly enough and becomes overfilled with digestion contents.

Few factors that cause the lower end to relax more frequently are Fatty foods, Chocolate, caffeine, onions, spicy foods, mint and some medications, Alcohol, Large meals, lying down soon after eating. Other factors that may contribute to GERD include alcohol use overweight, pregnancy and smoking.

How can homoeopathy help?

Although GERD can limit daily activities and productivity, it is rarely life-threatening. With an understanding of the causes and proper homoeopathic treatment most people will find relief. Natrum phos a homoeopathic medicine is very beneficial when there is excess of acid being manufactured and the gerd can be attributed to it. Nux Vomica is very affective in people where improper eating habits are responsible for the reflux disorder. Nux is also indicated in GERD by alcohol. Robinia is indicated in reflux disorder in children and Iris is very effective when symptoms of reflux are accompanied by headache.